Trying Out Recipes

Before adding the panko bread
crumbs & coconut.

The crab cakes were soooo good! They have scallions, red pepper, mayo & obviously crab meat. There are some panko bread crumbs & shredded coconut inside the cakes then they are dredged in the mixture also. When serving the two suggestions were with lime wedges & sweet red chili sauce. I didn't use either, but Jeff loved the chili sauce on them. I read that panko bread crumbs don't soak up the grease in the pan like regular bread crumbs do so that will save some calories. Also, they are lower in sodium. We had some of the panko/coconut mixture left even with following the recipe, but I think it could be used to coat chicken, shrimp or any white fish too.

The salad would've been much better with a different dressing. We used a pear balsamic which wasn't a good choice. But hey, nothing wrong with experimenting. The cucumbers & feta cheese were a good combination though. I'd make it again using some other dressing. With a different dressing it would look more appetizing as well.

Favorite San Fran Photos

 

Random Food Pics

BAKING

      

PASTA

           


DESSERT

OTHER

     

           

For My Mom

Red Velvet Cake

Fish Tacos

The taco shell is stuffed with some chopped up tilapia seasoned with a little salt/pepper/garlic powder & the homemade salsa. The other piece of fish is seasoned/topped with the same things & instead of it being in a taco shell I broke up some pieces for the top. Accompanied by some asparagus & light sour cream.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I don't usually cook anything for this holiday, but I figured it would be fun. I made my own version of salsa. Not all the ingredients I added are normal for salsa, but they were things I really enjoy & I thought went well with all the flavors together. I just eye balled the measurements.

The recipe calls for:

tomatoes

yellow onion

green onion (chives)

green pepper

cilantro

a little salt & pepper

I'm going to make fish tacos tonight for dinner, two different versions of it with tilapia. The hard taco shells I use are so good, only 55 calories & high in fiber. They are so tasty you can just break them up & eat them as chips, put in a salad or something else to add some crunch/texture.

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Whole Grain Corn Taco Shells - Brand: Ortega

Coffee Happy Hour!

Starbucks is having their Happy Hour for Frappuccino's again!!! Half price any flavor you want, customized to how you like it & there are light options to make them healthier.

May 6th - May 15th

3-5pm

Also, after 9 long years the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino is back! My taste buds have never been lucky enough to have had this drink before because 9 years ago I was only 16 years old. My love or should I say obsession for coffee was not found just yet. I saw Starbucks post about this drink over a month ago on Facebook & have been anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

So I went to Starbucks today, I was asked what I wanted before I made it to the counter. I replied with my normal "mocha frappucinno light please." After making it the register the woman asked me if I would like to try the new drink they have & it was the one I've been waiting for! After looking down at the samples, seeing the sign above me advertising it, I frantically changed my order before even trying the sample. Fortunately these people know me there & my crazy coffee feening self was nothing new to them.

I knew I would like it, there was no doubt in my mind. Chocolate, coffee & coconut in one...what's not to like? It's like a perfect caffeinated dessert! For me it was breakfast & lunch. I didn't get a chance to eat with my running around today. Yes I know not healthy, but it happens. The moment I tasted it I was in coffee heaven. I got the light version of course, so no whipped cream, no toppings & the light base for the drink. Here is a picture of the non-light version...

For me Happy Hour at Starbucks is the best kind of Happy Hour. If you usually don't go to Starbucks because of the higher prices, here it the perfect chance to get some of their yumminess since they are half the normal price. It's a steal. Enjoy fellow coffee lovers! :) And for those who don't drink coffee, there are some options for you as well.

Click here for the nutritional facts information for ALL frappucinno's.

Tonight's Healthy Dinner

Tilapia with a little sauce & Spaghetti Squash

with garlic, red peppers & some parmesan cheese.

I haven't been cooking dinner that much anymore because for one I didn't know many healthy things to cook. But someone reminded me of spaghetti squash & I haven't had it for a long time. I think I remember not liking it too much, but I think that was because it wasn't flavorful enough. You definitely need flavor or else it is super plain & boring. Both things were easy to make & simple yet delicious. Yum!

Crab Deviled Eggs For Easter

The recipe calls for:

4 oz lump crab meat

6 hard boiled eggs

1/2 stick chopped celery

2 tbs mascarpone cheese

1 tbs mayo

1 tbs sour cream

1 tbs dijon mustard

1 tbs lemon juice

3 tbs chopped fresh chives

salt & pepper

-- Add & mix the crab meat, celery, cheese, mayo, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice & chives together in a medium mixing bowl. Add some salt & pepper to your likely.

-- Cut the hard boiled eggs into halves. Remove the yolk & discard.

-- Spoon the crab mixture into the egg halves & serve.

Never made deviled eggs before so when I was looking at recipes I came across this one with crab & had to make it. I like the traditional deviled eggs so I made some of those too for tomorrow, but these are much tastier! I suggest maybe using only 1 tbs of the cheese if you want it less calories. The good thing about this recipe is the yolk (the "bad" part of the egg) is not added to the mixture so it cuts out some fat.

Namaste

I need to make some sort of peace in my mind with all the thoughts & worries I have. Meditating has always been a struggle for me. I get itchy & anxious & my mind thinks way too much. As Julia Roberts portrayed Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat Pray Love, I know I am not the only one that finds it hard to relax during this time. I want to set a goal to let some peace in. I need to research some tips.

Who wouldn't want to feel as peaceful as this looks?

Apparently I Am Obsessed With Basil

SO DELICIOUS!

The recipe calls for:

olive oil

your favorite bread

tomato

basil

part skim mozzarella cheese

store bought or homemade pesto (optional)

-- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-- Cut up the bread, tomato & cheese into slices.

-- Place the bread on a non-stick baking pan.

-- Spread a little pesto onto each slice of bread. (optional) Another option, sprinkle some olive oil on the bread.

-- Add the cheese, basil & tomato onto the bread in whatever order you prefer. Sprinkle some olive oil on top of it all.

-- Place the baking pan in the oven until bread is crispy & the cheese is slightly melted.

This is a very easy recipe & can be made for an appetizer, brunch side dish or for lunch. It was my lunch today. :)

MAKE IT! EAT IT! ENJOY IT!

Self Admitted Wine-o

Easter Recipe

Easter is coming up & I want to make something to bring.  I am not sure what to cook. Decisions, decisions. I haven't cooked for awhile actually. I want to get back into it.

Should I make an appetizer, side dish or dessert? I am leaning towards a side dish or dessert.

My Valentine's Day appetizer was a hit & festive with hearts. First time I've made it. It was time consuming so I want to do something a little easier to put together for Easter. I want to make something cold or room temperature. I don't want to be dealing with an oven because hopefully it will be warmer weather by then! If I make a dessert I want it to be cute & festive like for the v-day party. Either that or a salad of some sort maybe.

Fried eggplant with some cheese & fresh basil.

By the way, my $1.99 basil pot I purchased is actually working! Nothing edible yet, but it's growing. Hopefully it keeps growing & I didn't just jinx it. Not a lot of sun for it lately though. Wish me luck!

Weekend of Food & Art

I had a very nice day in the city on Friday except for the freezing cold weather. This is insane. Where the hell is Spring? Before the city we decided to randomly stop at Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken. First time I have been there. The line wasn't too long & the prices were like any regular bakery which was really nice. We purchased some cupcakes(vanilla/resse's/red velvet), cannoli's & a cookie. The cannoli's were so good. I love all cannoli's, but these were extra delicious. Fresh & tasty. "Love at first bite" is right! Two of the people from the show we ended up seeing in the bakery, not Buddy though.

After that delicious cannoli we headed into the city. The MoMa was beautiful all around. I definitely plan on going again. We got there a little later than planned so seeing every room of art was impossible, but we saw most. Here is just SOME of the pieces I loved... (CLICK PHOTOS TO VIEW BIGGER)

     

      

And two of my favorite photograph's...

I got inspired to cook & draw after my long day out. My Saturday included buying some charcoal pencils at Michael's & making some yummy pot pies for the family. I don't think I've used these pencils before. They are a little hard to work with, but I like them & will learn as I go. I started off with something basic & I plan to draw something more detailed next time.

I stuffed them with peas, corn, onions,
potato soup, mushrooms & chicken.

Great Swamp

Just a few photos from our family walk today...

 

Spring Is Coming!

Today was a very productive full filled day & beautiful in the 70's. I did a lot of spring cleaning including: donating clothes, cleaning the kitchen/living room/bedroom/etc. & lots of laundry. I also went to the dry cleaners, stopped at the Christmas Tree Shop & of course made a trip to Starbucks. I needed to go to the store for a broom & a new springy doormat, success! I also saw a grow your own basil pot so I had to pick that up. It was only $1.99 so who knows if it will even work, but I figured it was worth the money to give it a try. I love me some basil! I am not good at keeping plants or flowers alive so hopefully I have better luck with herbs. If all goes well I will pick up parsley & maybe a vegetable. While I cleaned my dog got her vitamin-d in while sunbathing.

 

My friend Rachel came over & we made s'more fudge. It is SO delicious. 43 calories a piece. It's made with semi sweetened chocolate chips, 2 low fat graham crackers, mini marshmallows, fat free condensed milk & a little vanilla. Super easy to make! Great for kids & adults. If you want the recipe leave a comment.

Have a nice weekend...Go to Rita's for some free italian ice from noon to 9pm on Sunday to start spring off the right way! Italian ice is 300 calories or under & they have sugar free options under 140 calories.